ENG-1973 — Page 79

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EMPLOYMENT

were initiated by employers. A total of $747,334.86 was awarded by the presiding officer. After unsuccessful conciliation attempts 91.4 per cent of the cases dealt with by the tribunal were referred by the labour relations service of the Labour Department.

By the end of the year, the Labour Department had record of 102 formal joint consultative committees set up in 50 establishments. In addition, 59 firms had some form of informal consultation. Most were working smoothly and achieving the object of bringing management and employees together to improve relationships and to allow each to benefit from the experience of the other.

Similar committees established in certain government departments discussed a wide range of administrative, welfare and organisational problems. A total of 142 special visits were made during the year to employers who have shown positive interest in introducing joint consultation.

A bilingual guide entitled 'Strikes, Strikers and the Law' was published and made available to employers and employees free of charge.

The factory inspectorate of the department's industry division is responsible, under the Factories and Industrial Undertakings Ordinance and its subsidiary legis- lation, for the safety of workers in factories, building and engineering construction sites and other industrial undertakings. Advice and assistance were given to manage- ment on the guarding of dangerous parts of machinery, the adoption of safe working practices, and the general layout of factories to achieve safer working conditions.

The Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Confined Spaces) Regulations 1973 were enacted on April 27. They provide for safety measures for work in confined spaces. The Construction Sites (Safety) Regulations 1973-enacted on August 1- provide specially for safety and health measures on construction sites. Guides in Chinese and English to these two sets of regulations have been prepared for distri- bution to interested parties.

On November 14 the Quarries (Safety) Regulations were approved by the Legis- lative Council. To become effective from January 1, 1974, the regulations offer a greater degree of safety to workers operating at a height on the face or top of quarries.

The Factories and Industrial Undertakings (First Aid in Registrable Work- places) (Amendment) Regulations 1973 were approved by the Legislative Council on November 28. The amendment widened the meaning of 'first aiders'.

The Factories and Industrial Undertakings (Amendment) Regulations 1973 were approved on November 28. The main purpose of the amendment is to correct minor defects in the regulations governing the hours of work of women and young persons.

During the year, the Industrial Safety Training Centre continued to provide basic and advanced safety training courses for workers and supervisors from indus- tries and government departments, and to students from technical and vocational training centres. A number of seminars and short courses on safety in confined spaces and on construction sites were organised.